1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport Why does it start five times then not start for hours or even one day?

Question

I bought this jeep in excellent condition in June to use for work. For two weeks it started everytime I asked it too. Then it began, I would try to start it and nothing I had lights radio etc.. it was first thought it was transmission sensor if i moved it from park to neutral it would start. I had brand new one put in, for another two weeks it started everytime, then it same problem again, I would try to start it no start, then after maybe a half hour I try it and it start right up. I was told dead spot in the starter, took it off tested it...man said nothing wrong with it, I got new mechanic he was sure it was the ignition switch so he put in new one, for two weeks it started everytime I asked it too. Now again, it may start five times go from place to place then when I needed it to start ..It will not.. If I let it set, after a night or a day get in turn the Key it Starts....Please any help would be much appreciated... I now have over 500.00 in repairs and have same problem.

Answer 1

If you can confirm an electrical (no spark) intermittent problem, then 3 possibilities come to mind:



- neutral safety switch on the transmission. If you can wiggle the shifter around the N position and get it to start regularly, then that's your problem. There is also a lockout adjustment on the transmission selector on the console. You need to remove a bunch of trim pieces and the center armrest in order to get access to the selector.

- you might need to have the CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor) replaced. This is a Hall-effect sensor which reads several deep notches on the flywheel in order to establish proper timing for the ignition system and Top Dead Center for cylinder #1. The CPS is on the top of the transmission bellhousing, left (driver's side.) A PIA to replace.

- another sensor is the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor.) Usual symptom is the engine will suddenly race at a high RPM, or seem to have a 'flat' spot or hesitation as you increase the speed.



Here is a procedure to read the failure codes stored in the Engine Computer. There might be some other sensor failure codes:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl922f.htm



Here is another listing of Cherokee symptoms and repairs maintained by the North American XJ Association. (XJ = Cherokee body code.) http://www.naxja.org/forum/archive/index.php/f-44-p-56.html

Answer 2

My buddie's Jeep Cherokee does the same thing. We replaced the neutral safety switch, ignition switch, TPS, Mas air flow sensor.......still does it. The only thing left to change is the ECU. We are both mechanics and this Jeep has stumped us and everyone we know who wrenches. At least you are not the only one out there with the problem.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

Sounds like your starter is heating up too much by the engine heat. Could be really close to exhaust manifolds. You got a good male friend that is mechanically inclined? You could try to put a starter heat shield wrap around it and see if that helps. I've had this problem before too. My car would start up fine but after driving it around for a while it wouldn't want to start. Well goodluk!!!

Answer 4

it sounds like you have a bad ignition relay, it sounds like it breaks down and shuts off then when it cools off it clicks back over or even just bad works sometime and sometime not it looks like a ignition switch and a starter but it is really a relay not working properly and it is a cheap fix.. just find the relay for the ignition and switch it with a new one it just plugs in very simple fix i hope that is the problem.. good luck

Answer 5

really sounds like dead spot in starter if you don't get it just right then it will test good when having it tested i would have someone hit the starter with a hammer when its acting up again and see if it starts if so...then replace the starter